Metal Barns

A separate hay barn can be a great asset to your farm. Hay has the notorious ability to become combustible, therefore, storing your hay with your animals is not the best solution. Having a hay barn is the best way to keep your animals and tack safe. As the old saying goes, “Don’t keep all of your eggs in one basket.”

So, which kind of barn is the correct one for storing hay? Wait … what? You need a particular type of barn to store hay? Well, actually, yes, you do. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind when designing your hay barn:

Ventilation

It is essential that you have the right type of barn to keep the hay well-ventilated and dry. Good ventilation is important because hay creates heat and moisture which can create mold. If hay is overexposed to elements it will lose the nutritional value that is necessary as feed for your animals.

A building that is as open as possible but still provides protection from the elements is the best type of hay barn. Eave and ridge vents are important for barns that are made out of metal. If you live in a drier region, an open-sided barn could work perfectly for your new hay barn. In wetter climates, a barn that is open on one side or gable-ended would serve perfectly to help keep your barn well-ventilated for hay storage.

Size and location

As you design your new hay barn, be sure to consider the vehicles that will need to access it. Make sure the loading areas are accessible to nearby roads so vehicles loaded with hay can easily find their way in and out of your property.

Think about the overall size of your barn, too. The general rule of thumb is to allow 250 cubic feet of storage per ton for small square bales, or 310 cubic feet per ton for large round bales.

Design your own hay barn with VersaTube today!